What is Shaktipat?

In every human being there is a source of divine energy that the yogis call the kundalini. In order to evolve spiritually, no matter what our path, the kundalini must be active.
For most of us, the kundalini lies dormant at the bottom of the spine in the base chakra known as the Muladhar. When it awakens, it ascends through the chakras until it reaches the highest chakra, the Sahasrar. When that occurs, we merge with our True Self and attain realization.

Shaktipat is the transfer of spiritual energy from the teacher to the student in order to awaken the kundalini. Anandi Ma has compared the process to lighting one candle with another that is already lit and glowing. When the teacher is fully realized and the energy is completely within his or her control, shaktipat initiation ensures that the student’s energy will remain active and stable. Dhyanyogi explained, “Electricity is present everywhere, but there can be light only when the switch is turned on. Similarly the true guru manifests the consciousness in the disciple through shaktipat.”